Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
Beat Box
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like this, Like this
It's the music that grows all the illusion and fears
It's the music that makes the confusion become clear
It's the music that I live, these 18 years
It's the music I give my blood, sweat, and tears
Not to mention some lifer,
Did I mention I like her?
Music gets people hyper,
Music made me a riper
Music made me a fighter
Yo man, pass me the lighter
It's the fire that igniter, shot it right in the sky
Look me right in the eye
Hey yo kid, you want to fly
The why-o, the n-ya, from NY to egg white
You cannot deny so why even try
My mother sang songs to kids in concentration
His mother sang songs inside the cotton plantation
Her mother sang songs while we were robbin the nation
Now I sing songs for much more then an occupation
I am the music
We are the music
I am the music
You are the music
Austin is the music
Texas is the music
We are the mu-sic
Yo I take two steps forward
Taking one step back
Every time I think I am on track, Life fades to black
Now I pick the slack and attack faster then a rapper on crack
Feel my knack and just spit
I bet there?S more triplets 'cause rap has hit vicious
My style is more delicious the eggnog
You wish this kid would vanish, so?S his family,
And my spirit needs fitness, that why I flip this
Yo so I held back the life and blown and feeling
Alright surprising people 'cause I drowned last night
Here I am one more time,
My rhymes are at your shine
I?m ripping over ribbons life swimming through time
Sit back in unwind,
Let your brain unravel
Slip sliding away like travelin on wet gravel,
Ain?t no need to battle if need be, yah
The song "Beat Box" by Matisyahu is an ode to the power of music. The lyrics are a celebration of the ways in which music can transcend borders and boundaries, bringing people together and helping them to overcome their fears and confusion. Matisyahu recognizes the transformative power of music in his own life, acknowledging that it is the reason he has dedicated himself to it for the last 18 years. He speaks to the hyper nature of people being affected by the sounds of music and how it has allowed him to grow and become a fighter, rather than a victim. He then moves on to issues greater than just himself and talks about the history of his family's time with music; his mother, his ancestors, and himself.
Matisyahu acknowledges the powerful impact that music has had on his own life and how it has helped him to overcome personal obstacles, but he also recognizes the broader social and historical context of music. He notes that his mother sang songs to children in concentration camps, while others sang songs in cotton plantations, and he recognizes that he is now singing songs for more than just an occupation. For him, music is a way to connect with the world around him and to make sense of the diverse experiences that make up the human condition. The song's mantra, "I am the music, we are the music," is a testament to the idea that music is a universal language that brings people together, transcending borders, cultures, and differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Austin how you all feeling
Matisyahu asks how the audience is doing
Like this, Like this
The audience responds positively
It's the music that grows all the illusion and fears
Music has the power to create illusions and fears
It's the music that makes the confusion become clear
Music can help clarify confusion
It's the music that I live, these 18 years
Matisyahu has been living with music for 18 years
It's the music I give my blood, sweat, and tears
Matisyahu has given a lot to music, including his blood, sweat, and tears
Not to mention some lifer,
Matisyahu acknowledges someone special in his life
Did I mention I like her?
Matisyahu likes this person
Then the rest of the cipher man It's not hard to decipher
Matisyahu is talking about the rest of the group he is with
Music gets people hyper,
Music can make people excited and energetic
Music made me a riper
Music has helped Matisyahu grow and mature
Music made me a fighter
Music has helped Matisyahu become stronger and more resilient
Yo man, pass me the lighter
Matisyahu asks for a lighter to use
It's the fire that igniter, shot it right in the sky
Fire can be a symbol of inspiration
Look me right in the eye
Matisyahu wants someone to look at him directly
Hey yo kid, you want to fly
Matisyahu is asking someone if they want to soar higher
The why-o, the n-ya, from NY to egg white
Matisyahu is mentioning different places
You cannot deny so why even try
There's no point in denying something obvious
My mother sang songs to kids in concentration
Matisyahu's mother sang to children during the Holocaust
His mother sang songs inside the cotton plantation
Referring to the slavery era in the US, where women sang to keep their spirit alive
Her mother sang songs while we were robbin the nation
Referring to the Native American genocide, where mothers sang to preserve their culture and hope
Now I sing songs for much more then an occupation
Matisyahu sees music as more than just a job, it's a way of life and connection with history
I am the music
Matisyahu sees himself as an embodiment of music
We are the music
Matisyahu feels that everyone is connected through music
Austin is the music
Matisyahu identifies Austin as a city with a strong musical culture
Texas is the music
Matisyahu identifies Texas as a state with a rich musical history
We are the mu-sic
Matisyahu once again emphasizes the connection between people and music
Yo I take two steps forward
Matisyahu is trying to progress in his life
Taking one step back
However, obstacles keep slowing him down
Every time I think I am on track, Life fades to black
Life can be unpredictable and sometimes things don't go as planned
Now I pick the slack and attack faster than a rapper on crack
Matisyahu is determined to keep moving forward and working hard
Feel my knack and just spit
Matisyahu believes in his talent and ability to succeed
I bet there?S more triplets 'cause rap has hit vicious
There may be more challenges in store, but Matisyahu is ready to face them
My style is more delicious the eggnog
Matisyahu is confident in his unique style
You wish this kid would vanish, so?S his family,
There may be people who don't believe in Matisyahu's skills or success
And my spirit needs fitness, that why I flip this
Matisyahu uses music as a way to keep his spirit healthy and strong
Yo so I held back the life and blown and feeling
Matisyahu has held back parts of his identity and is now trying to let them out through his music
Alright surprising people 'cause I drowned last night
Matisyahu may have faced obstacles, but he is still resilient and determined
Here I am one more time,
Matisyahu keeps pushing forward
My rhymes are at your shine
Matisyahu hopes his music can shine a light on someone else's life
I?m ripping over ribbons life swimming through time
Matisyahu sees life as a journey, and he's taking control of it
Sit back in unwind,
Matisyahu encourages the audience to relax and enjoy the music
Let your brain unravel
Music can help free the mind and provoke thought
Slip sliding away like travelin on wet gravel,
Life can be unpredictable and full of bumps, but we can still make progress
Ain?t no need to battle if need be, yah
Matisyahu believes there's no need to fight or struggle if it's not necessary
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Yoni Gileadi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
StunlockJoe
He's really good, as a beatboxer and a Reggae singer. Good mix.
Michael Bowman
it is one guy saw him concert. one of the coolest things ever! Matisyahu is beast!
Cesar Garcia
omg he is a beast! love this guy! his voice is amazin! its like a combination of fergie and jesus! lol STEPBROTHERS
Devin Steinkuehler
Not gonna lie..this guy is pretty cool.
Jeremy Chavez
That dude is crazy!!
Stephen Diaz
Long Live MatisYahu
Machine217
Excelent.
quelzbelz
hOLY SHITTTTTTTTTT THIS IS AMAZINGGGGGGGGG
kpenn1994
2:12 is the best
Casey Douglas
so sick